The last decade saw people 65 and over become the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, largely thanks to the leading edge of the baby boom and greater longevity among men.  In 2010, more Americans were 65 and older than ever before, making up 13 percent of the total population. The 65-and-over group is now the largest in both size and percentage of the U.S. population, compared with any previous census, the federal government reported last month.

In total there are 78.2 million boomers in America, and 50.8 percent of whom are women. By the year 2030, Baby Boomers, who will be between the ages of 66 and 84, will make up 20 percent of the population.

There is one thing that culturally unites the Boomers like no other: television. The Baby Boomers were the first generation raised on TV. They could share cultural events and milestones with everyone in their age group, no matter where they were geographically. They all watched “Bonanza” or “Leave it to Beaver,” and saw the Vietnam War in their living rooms while they were coming of age. These shared moments helped craft a generational bond like no generation before them.

Boomers downfall is and will continue to be obesity, which means they are more prone to diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension and other preventable disease states.  According to a 2005 study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, obesity rates substantially grew for baby boomers (those born from 1946 to 1965), compared with the generation before them. When members of the prior generation were 35 to 44 years old, 14% to 18% were obese. At comparable ages, 28% to 32% of the youngest boomers were obese.

When it comes to making decisions about their health, boomers are split into two distinct groups, the first that sometimes think that if they delay doing something, a better solution might come along. At the other end of the spectrum, there are those who hop on the Internet to learn everything about their symptoms and possible treatments and work to reverse the trend.  Current data shows that only 24% of boomers that once diagnosed with a preventable disease the condition motivated them to change their lifestyles.

Generally booming baby boomers will not age as their parents did, they will buck the trend of disease, inactivity and aging in a rocking chair.  Today’s generation of those turning 65 will be more active and engaged, they view their health as a key personal asset and will take the time and effort to remain physically active in their ‘golden’ years.

Overall as a group boomers, watch what they eat, exercise regularly and follow the latest health findings.

Making an effort to add more fruits, vegetables and lean meats to one’s plate will not only help boomers cut the amount of fat in their diet, but also could help them fight diseases that may develop in old age.

Making specific plans for life post retirement can play a big role in maintenance of blood flow to the brain too, which helps keeps boomers alert. Studies of retired people who sat around and did nothing versus those who went on to do something new showed the latter group did better at maintaining vitality.

Being physically active and getting involved in projects and hobbies that excite us are more important than we realize.

So how do you want to enter your retirement years? Wishing that you had treated your body better when you were younger; or physically active and mentally alert?

That decision is a personal one, however to make the most out of retirement years it’s time to get active and physically fit.  Just a 30-60 minute walk each and every day will assist in losing the spare tire that we are carrying around the midsections of America.   As we become active expect muscles that have been inactive for months and years to let you know that they are waking up.  The short term pain can be easily managed with products such as an Arctic Ease Cryotherapy Wrap® which will remove the resulting inflammation (swelling) and pain, without the need for more pills.

The final decision is yours, however to age gracefully with an active and engaged lifestyle its time to get moving!  Just think of the legacy you will leave to your children, grandchildren and generations to come; with that its time for the author to head out the door for a long brisk walk!

Reference:  US Census